Kidnapped woman collapses and d!es in captivity; gunmen release six other victims after N25m ransom payment in Ekiti

Gunmen who abducted seven residents of Erinmope-Ekiti in Moba Local Government Area of Ekiti State have released six of the victims after collecting a ransom of N25 million. However, one of the victims, identified as Hawau Suleiman, reportedly d!ed in captivity, with her body yet to be recovered. It would be recalled that on 24 January 2026, the gunmen stormed the community and abducted five women, initially demanding N100 million for their release. Among those taken were a nursing mother and an expectant mother who was nine months pregnant at the time It was gathered that Hawau reportedly collapsed and d!ed during captivity. The victims were said to have endured several weeks of forced wandering with their abductors through the expansive forests spanning Ekiti, Kwara State and Kogi State. During negotiations, two men from the family went to deliver N10 million to secure the release of the five women. However, the abductors rejected the amount and took the two men captive, increasing the number of hostages to seven. Sources said the hostages were eventually released earlier this week following payment of N25 million by the family. Narrating their ordeal on Thursday, Muhammad Soliu, one of the six freed victims, said the female who d!ed, collapsed from exhaustion during the gruelling trek.  “We trekked several kilometres barefoot, without food or water, from a forest in Kwara to the Kogi axis. We had no hope of surviving, Soliu said. “As we were being moved from one location to another, the deceased woman collapsed. We pleaded to carry her, but the kidnappers threatened to kill us if we stopped.  “They ordered us to continue moving without looking back. It was the worst experience anyone could imagine. We are appealing to the authorities to assist us in recovering her body for proper burial. Soliu said he and his brother were tied together when they delivered the first N10 million to the kidnappers and were forced to travel further into the forest. They were not allowed to interact with the five women initially abducted. He explained that the six survivors were released at separate locations in Kogi and Kwara States on Tuesday, from where they made their way back to Erinmope. I was freed at Idofin in Kwara, while the others were released in Kogi State. My brother and I spent 11 days with our abductors, while the five women spent about a month in captivity, Soliu said. The expectant mother was reportedly taken to an undisclosed hospital for medical attention following her release.  The post Kidnapped woman collapses and d!es in captivity; gunmen release six other victims after N25m ransom payment in Ekiti appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.